Part 45 (2/2)

”d.a.m.n little. Take your choice.”

After due observance on both sides of the time-honoured rules of bargaining, the matter was concluded, and Musq'oosis made a feint of gathering up his bundles. As a matter of fact, the old man had not yet reached what he had come for.

”What's your hurry?” said Mahooley. ”Sit and talk a while.”

This was not pure friendliness on the trader's part. He had a particular reason for wis.h.i.+ng to cultivate the old Indian.

Musq'oosis allowed himself to be persuaded.

”Where's Bela?” asked Mahooley.

”Home.”

”What's all this talk about her carrying off the cook?”

Musq'oosis shrugged. ”Fellas got talk.”

”Well, what are the rights of the case?”

”I don't know,” he returned indifferently. ”I not there. I guess I go see Beattie now.”

”Sit down,” said Mahooley. ”What do you want to see Beattie for? Why don't you trade with me? Why don't you tell all the Fish-Eaters to come here? They do what you tell them.”

”Maybe,” said Musq'oosis, ”but we always trade wit' Beattie.”

”Time you made a change then. He thinks he's got you cinched.”

”Gilbert Beattie my good friend.”

”h.e.l.l! Ain't I your friend, too? You don't know me. Have a cigar. Sit down. What do you want to see Beattie about in such a rush?”

”I goin' buy team and wagon,” said Musq'oosis calmly.

Mahooley laughed. ”What are you goin' to do with it? I never heard of you as a driver.”

”I goin' hire driver,” a.s.serted Musq'oosis. ”I sit down; let ot'er man work for me. So I get rich.”

This seemed more and more humorous to Mahooley.

”That's the right ticket,” he said. ”But where will you get the business for your team?”

By way of answer Musq'oosis produced a folded paper from inside the capote. Opening it, Mahooley read:

This is to certify that I have awarded the Indian Musq'oosis the contract to freight all my supplies from Grier's Point to my camp on Beaver Bay during the coming summer at twenty-five cents per hundredweight.

RICHARD GRAVES,

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